HP Pavilion a1250n Desktop PC (AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+, 1 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, LightScribe Dbl Layer 16X DVD+/-R/RW Drive)

by HP

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 17 x 7.2 x 15 inches ; 24 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 33 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000BC8VVM
• Item model number: EG194AA#ABA
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 9, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The HP Pavilion a1250n comes loaded with the all tools you need to easily create, manage, share, and enjoy your digital photos, home videos, movies, and music. It features a wide range of connectivity options for all your peripherals and preloaded HP Image Zone Plus photo editing and management software. It comes loaded with 1 GB of RAM, which can be bumped up to 4 GB, as well as a super-sized 250 GB hard drive. It's powered by AMD's powerful Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor, which makes it easy to multi-task through your multimedia applications. It also features a LightScribe multi-format DVD/CD burner, a 9-in-1 memory card reader that's compatible with today's most popular digital camera formats, and a wide assortment of pre-loaded software.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The super-sized 250 GB Ultra DMA hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video.
• Processor: The 2.0 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ processor offers a dual-core architecture, which delivers additional computing resources to help expand your PC’s capabilities by providing higher throughput and simultaneous computing. You'll be able to perform multiple tasks such as digital rendering and gaming all while running virus scan or other background tasks seamlessly. And it's designed to handle simultaneous 32- and 64-bit computing with no degradation in performance. It also offers such AMD technology as Cool'n'Quiet, for a quieter performance and lower power costs, and HyperTransport, for maximum system efficiency.
• Memory: The a1250n comes with 1 GB of installed PC2-4200 DDR RAM (533 MHz). This is a good start, but you'll want to up your RAM to take advantage of the 4 GB capacity for your 3-D gaming and video-editing needs.
• CD/DVD Drive: "Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the a1250n's multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD+/-RW, 2.4x DVD+R DL, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CDR, 24x CDRW, and 40x CD-ROM ROM speeds.

  This LightScribe DVD+/-RW drive lets you laser-etch silkscreen quality text and images on to CDs and DVDs. Your software, PC and discs work together for a no-hassle way to burn just the labels you want. After you burn content, just flip the disc over, reinsert and burn your label--anything from a simple title to a full-disc work of art. The a1120n also comes with a second optical drive--a 16x DVD-ROM."

• Keyboard & Mouse: The a1250n comes with an HP Internet keyboard and scroller mouse (both with PS/2 connections).

Screen, Graphics and Sound
The integrated Intel Extreme Graphics video/graphics card (with 128 MB of shared video memory) is adequate for streaming Internet video, but won't be enough for today's demanding immersive 3D games. It also features an integrated audio card and headphone, microphone, and line-in jacks.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
For expansion, the a1120n has two 5.25-inch external bays (both occupied), two external 3.5-inch bays (one available), one internal 3.5-inch bay (occupied), and three PCI slots (two available). It comes with the following external connectors:

• 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (1 front, 1 back)
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 microphone, 1 headphone
• 1 line-out, and 1 line-in jack
• 9-in-1 media card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick/Memory Stick Pro, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and XD Picture Card

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. Additionally, it enables you to control your television with the included remote and record and pause programs (much like a DVR--or digital video recorder--such as Tivo or ReplayTV). It's compatible with cable, digital cable, satellite TV and antenna inputs, and it includes an FM tuner.

It also comes preloaded with Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents), Symantec Norton Internet Security 2005 (with 60 days of LiveUpdate), Encarta Encyclopedia 2005, Quicken New User Edition 2005, Microsoft Money 2005, RecordNow, WinDVD Player, Sonic DigitalMedia Plus, muvee AutoProducer, iTunes, and PC Doctor.

The included HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software makes it easy to organize, edit, share, print, protect, and store your photos and video clips. Organize and find your photos easily by timeline, keywords, and/or location using the unique photo-globe mapping tool. Remove red eye and fix other common problems. Share your photos quickly via e-mails that include thumbnails with links to the full-sized images--without downloading time-consuming attachments.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop PC measures 15.2 x 7.2 x 17 inches (HxWxD) and weighs approximately 24 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion a1250n desktop PC, power cable, keyboard, and mouse. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 90 days from date of purchase.

Product Description

Box Contents: HP Pavilion A1250N Desktop PC, PS/2 multimedia keyboard, scroller mouse, power cord
An HP Pavilion A1250N Desktop PC is a powerful and flexible system that will make managing your digital projects easier. The ultra-fast Dual-Core processor is designed to speed up everything from photo retouching to 3D rendering. Transfer your failes stored easily through a USB, FireWire or memory card connection, then burn it all onto a DVD or CD for easier sharing. The advanced Lightscribe technology lets you burn drawing directly onto a CD or DVD, making your creations truly unique. Integrated video graphics, with up to 256 MB allocated video memory PCI K56flex data/fax modem Integrated 10/100 Base-T networking interface One 3.5 inch external drive bay available for expansion Expansion slots available - 2 PCI, 1 PCI Express, 2 DIMM slots Front panel 9-in-1 card reader - Supports CompactFlash Types I & II, SD and MMC, Memory Stick & Syick Pro, SmartMedia, Micro Drive and xD Picture Card I/O ports(front) - 2 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire, 1 line-in, 1 line-out, 1 microphone I/O ports(back) - 2 PS/2(1 keyboard, 1 mouse), 1 VGA(monitor), 1 parallel, 4 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire, 1 LAN port Operating System - Windows XP Media Center 2005 (Service Pack 2) Imaging, photography, video and film software - HP Image Zone 5, WinDVD 5 Player Basic, muvee autoProducer 1.1 for Media Center & muvee autoProducer 4 Other software includes - Adobe Reader, Office 2003 Student Teacher Edition Trial, Money 2005, Quicken New User Edition 2005, iTunes 4.8 (w/Quicktime), Real Player, Encarta 2005 Standard, Sonic DigitalMedia Archive, Software Repair Wizard, PC-Doctor 5, Norton Security Center, Norton Internet Security 2005 AntiSpyware Edition (60-day subscription) Service and support from HP - Get updates directly from HP, plus online documentation, Web-based registration and the Help & Support Center M

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Buy, November 26, 2005

By 

Jim Web - See all my reviews

This review is from: HP Pavilion a1250n Desktop PC (AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+, 1 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, LightScribe Dbl Layer 16X DVD+/-R/RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I've had this computer for a week. Runs great and very silent. AMD athlon dual core is VERY good. It is a lot better than the newer Pent D processor because it is silent, fast, and DOES NOT heat up. If you have a Pent D, you know that it is loud. I don't even hear my computer when it's on that's how smooth it runs. Con about this computer is a decent graphic card. I had to buy a new one, but once you have a good graphic card it is very good.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible System - Hardware & Component Faults Throughout, September 7, 2006

By 

D - See all my reviews

This review is from: HP Pavilion a1250n Desktop PC (AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+, 1 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, LightScribe Dbl Layer 16X DVD+/-R/RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

The HP a1250n is, without a doubt, the worst computer system I have ever experienced. I have used a wide variety of computers and I can honestly say that this HP is absolutely the most problematic.
Bottom line = the HP a1250n system, its components, and its software DO NOT WORK together. There is nothing good to say about this system.
The dual processor, in itself, should be a powerful feature, but not if the rest of the computer cannot support it. Unfortunately, this is the case with the HP a1250n. Add to the mix, the excessive trial software and unnecessary programs that HP installs on its systems, and the HP a1250n is already slowed right out of the box. Also, the LightScribe drive could be very cool, but is rendered nearly useless on this system, since 9 out of 10 times, the drive cannot recognize a loaded CD/DVD (even when it is a LightScribe-specific CD/DVD). In addition, the Sonic software installed for the LightScribe drive doesn't work well with the LightScribe and often results in random error messages. For general work, such as emails, internet, text documents, etc., the HP a1250n runs slightly faster (but not significantly) compared with my 5-year-old system. However, when using powerful programs with larger files, such as movie-making and graphic editing software, the system runs slowly and often locks-up, requiring reboots.
The HP a1250n is a total disappointment and waste of money. I will never buy a HP computer again.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Buy!, February 15, 2007

By 

TG (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HP Pavilion a1250n Desktop PC (AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+, 1 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, LightScribe Dbl Layer 16X DVD+/-R/RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

This is a great running machine! I've had mine for about a year and a half and it runs perfectly.I added some meory and this became a great all around computer, with gaming too. Would be a very nice family computer. I recently install windows Vista Ultimate and it runs fine on here, no problem upgrading or anything. Vista doesn't come with drivers for the sound card, but with windows update it found them and installed them automaticlly. Great buy , very very cheap!